buying train tickets in advance in Italy

Old May 28th, 2011, 12:42 PM
  #1  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
buying train tickets in advance in Italy

I will be flying into Milan in mid-August and taking the train to Bolzano immediately upon arrival (on my way to Castelrotto). I have noticed that the trains going through Milan require reservations. Should I purchase a ticket in advance (from the US) or can I purchase a ticket once I arrive in Milan? On the Trenitalia site, it seems like if you purchase a ticket in advance, you can't exchange it for another train at another time. That would be a problem if the flight was late and I needed to catch a later train than planned. I will not be buying a rail pass in Italia, since everyone suggests purchasing point to point tickets - and I am not traveling by train very much in Italy on this trip.
Thanks so much for any help on how to buy this train ticket.
Martha
mjnbrown is offline  
Old May 28th, 2011, 01:00 PM
  #2  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 36,778
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
You can just purchase upon arrival. The only reason to purchase in advance is to get some of the discount offers that require at least 24 hour advance purchase and can sell out. If you are looking at your dates on Trenitalia, all the summer schedules aren't loaded yet. To see a more accurate schedule, look at a date before June 11. They should finishing loading schedules soon since the summer ones start June 12. If you want to see all prices, you will have to look at a date within the next 7 days as Trenitalia doesn't show R train prices more than a week out.
kybourbon is offline  
Old May 28th, 2011, 01:05 PM
  #3  
ira
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Hi MJN,

You can check the bus schedules for MXP/Milano Centrale at http://www.malpensashuttle.it/e-default.htm

I would choose the train that left about 2:30 hr after scheduled touchdown.

ira is offline  
Old May 28th, 2011, 06:07 PM
  #4  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks - I had thought I could buy tickets once I got there, but was a bit nervous with the "reservations required" language. Ira - will I need to take the bus to the main train station downtown in Milan? I have not been to Milan. I was hoping there was a train station at the airport, so I could just start my train trip there. But maybe not.....
Martha
mjnbrown is offline  
Old May 28th, 2011, 09:15 PM
  #5  
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 36,778
Likes: 0
Received 14 Likes on 11 Posts
Certain trains (AV/ES/ESCity/IC) have mandatory seat reservations. That's why you've seen reservations required. It doesn't mean you have to purchase in advance, it just means people with passes can't just hop on. They must purchase a seat first. Point-to-point tickets purchased from Trenitalia will include your seat.

There is a train station at the airport, but most trains from there go to Milan Cadorna station although a few go to Centrale and they are supposed to add more. The few that go to Centrale probably won't be convenient for you (12:22 and 19:22) so the bus might make more sense. There is also a shuttle bus to a nearby train station where there are frequent trains to Centrale, but you might not want to fool with that if you are jet lagged. Malpensa airport is about an hour travel time from Centrale.

There will be touch screen ticket machines in English at Centrale.
kybourbon is offline  
Old May 29th, 2011, 05:31 PM
  #6  
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 207
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Thanks so much for the info. I'm glad I checked ahead of time. If not, I would have just headed for downtown Milan, not realizing that I needed to go to a different station than most of the trains went to. Sounds like I'll take the shuttle bus to Centrale to head out to Bolzano.
Martha
mjnbrown is offline  
Related Topics
Thread
Original Poster
Forum
Replies
Last Post
atlchx
Europe
11
Jul 14th, 2015 11:17 PM
love417
Europe
5
Mar 19th, 2013 06:45 PM
EBratton
Europe
4
Jun 30th, 2011 09:50 AM
dawnie
Europe
4
Sep 16th, 2008 12:42 PM
LyndaKaye
Europe
6
Sep 2nd, 2004 05:32 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are On


Thread Tools
Search this Thread

Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information -